The immunomodulatory effect of Sambucol on leishmanial and malarial infections.

Abstract

A nontoxic dose of Sambucol, an immunomodulator commercially sold as an immune stimulator, was examined in murine models of leishmaniasis and malaria. Sambucol causes a shift in the immune response, as demonstrated in human monocyte cultures, to Th1 (inflammation-associated) responses. Treatment of leishmania-infected mice with Sambucol delayed the development of the disease. As there was no direct IN VITRO anti-leishmanial effect, the observed partial protection IN VIVO is most likely related to immune modulation. Although increased Th1 responses are associated with protection from leishmaniasis, they are considered to be the main immunopathological processes leading to cerebral malaria. Administration of Sambucol to mice prior to and following infection with Plasmodium berghei ANKA increased the incidence of cerebral malaria, while administration of Sambucol after infection had no effect on the disease. The results demonstrate how an inflammatory-like response may alleviate or exacerbate clinical symptoms of disease and hint at the importance of administration timing. The overall effect of immunomodulator administration depends on the ongoing immune response and the Th1/Th2 balance determined by both host and parasite defense mechanisms.

• Authors: Judith Hannah Waknine-Grinberg, Joseph El-On, Vivian Barak, Yechezkel Barenholz, Jacob Golenser
• Journal: Planta medica (Planta Med) Vol. 75 Issue 6 Pg. 581-6 (May 2009) ISSN: 1439-0221 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 19214946 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart. New York.

Chemical References

• Antimalarials
• Antiprotozoal Agents
• Cytokines
• Immunologic Factors
• Inflammation Mediators
• Plant Extracts

Topics

• Animals
• Antimalarials (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Antiprotozoal Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Cytokines (metabolism)
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Female
• Humans
• Immunologic Factors (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Inflammation Mediators (metabolism)
• Leishmaniasis (prevention & control)
• Malaria (complications, drug therapy, immunology)
• Malaria, Cerebral (prevention & control)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Mice, Inbred ICR
• Monocytes (drug effects)
• Phytotherapy
• Plant Extracts (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Plasmodium berghei
• Sambucus
• Th1 Cells (metabolism)